Search Results for: office

Inter-generational collaboration linked to stronger organisational performance, report claims

Inter-generational collaboration linked to stronger organisational performance, report claims

by • News, Workplace

Organisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performanceOrganisations that encourage stronger inter-generational collaboration between different groups of employees are more likely to see improvements in innovation, trust and business performance, according to new research from employee recognition firm O.C. Tanner. The company’s first State of Generations at Work Report, based on responses from more than 5,700 employees across 17 countries, argues that employers should move beyond generational stereotypes and instead focus on creating what it describes as “generational synergy” across their workforces. (more…)

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

The workplace canteen isn’t too expensive. The way you run it is.

by • Company news, Facilities management

Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it's a snack machine or nothing. They're half right. The canteen isn't the problem — the model is. And the model has changed.Most facilities teams have quietly reached the same conclusion: a staffed workplace canteen costs too much to justify, so it’s a snack machine or nothing. They’re half right. The canteen isn’t the problem — the model is. And the model has changed. Ask a facilities manager what their canteen actually costs, and you’ll rarely get a clean figure. The invoice is deliberately fragmented — food, labour, a contract caterer’s management fee, site costs — and the biggest line, labour, is the one under most pressure. (more…)

What frictionless work is removing from the working day

What frictionless work is removing from the working day

by • Comment, Flexible working, Wellbeing, Workplace design

If you look around most offices at midday on a Tuesday, you will likely see a variation of the same scene: employees sitting at their desks with headphones in and responding to Slack messages while eating lunch. The physical environment of the workplace may still be thoughtfully designed, with ergonomic furniture, curated lighting and acoustic panels; however, the atmosphere often still feels flat. Creating a highly optimised, frictionless workplace means removing physical hurdles and operational delays, but it can also strip away the small moments of variation, spontaneity and connection that give working life its texture. Often, the result of frictionless work is an environment that feels psychologically monotonous and socially thin. (more…)

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

by • Company news, Lighting, Workplace design

TRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplaceTRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplace. Developed in collaboration with installer Kuijpers, the project transforms the former TechniekHuys into a modern office environment where lighting, data and building systems work together as part of a fully integrated smart ecosystem. Rather than constructing a new building, Simac opted to redevelop the existing TechniekHuys, creating a sustainable workplace that reflects its own technological expertise. The headquarters now acts as a live demonstration environment, incorporating a fully wireless smart building management system. (more…)

Remote work linked to mental health concerns in major US study

Remote work linked to mental health concerns in major US study

by • Flexible working, News

A major new study has suggested that the rapid growth of remote work since the pandemic has played a significant role in rising levels of social isolation and poor mental health among workersA major new study has suggested that the rapid growth of remote work since the pandemic has played a significant role in rising levels of social isolation and poor mental health among workers, although researchers stress that the findings relate primarily to fully remote work rather than hybrid arrangements. The research, published in the journal Science, analysed data from five nationally representative surveys covering almost 590,000 US workers between 2011 and 2024. According to the authors, the expansion of remote work may account for around one third of the increase in mental distress recorded over that period. (more…)

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

by • AI, News, Workplace

A new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job rolesA new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job roles. The survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 58 percent believe their industry is changing faster than before, yet only 51 percent said they are currently engaged in upskilling. The findings have been released as part of Arden University’s Future of Work and Learning Report. (more…)

Tales from the built environment: some reflections on the conference circuit 

Tales from the built environment: some reflections on the conference circuit 

by • Comment, Facilities management, Property, Workplace design

The built environment sector, like many other sectors, spends a great deal of time talking to itself. So what is it saying right now?The stories we tell ourselves can be powerful. They shape how we see reality, whether they’re true or not. The trouble is that the ones which endure are rarely the most helpful. Here’s a familiar story: every industry is privately convinced that its image problem is uniquely severe. This leads to a lot of navel-gazing and going round in circles. Often, however, they’re grappling with versions of the same challenge: trying to explain their value to people outside the room. I saw this play out at two recent conferences related to the built environment: the UK Real Estate Infrastructure & Investment Forum (UKREiiF) in May and IWFM Live last week. (more…)

Narcissistic leaders are more likely to oppose remote work, study suggests

Narcissistic leaders are more likely to oppose remote work, study suggests

by • Flexible working, News

business leaders with stronger narcissistic tendencies are significantly more likely to resist remote work and hybrid working arrangements because they see them as a threat to their power and statusNow, we don’t usually want to fan the dying embers of the tedious, endless RTO v WFH conversation, but this is a potentially interesting addition to consider. According to a new study from researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, business leaders with stronger narcissistic tendencies are significantly more likely to resist remote and hybrid working arrangements because they see them as a threat to their power and status. Published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, the study suggests that opposition to remote work may not be driven solely by concerns about productivity, collaboration or organisational performance. Instead, it may also stem from leaders’ personal motivations and psychological needs. (more…)

People value autonomy and flexibility more than workplace technology

People value autonomy and flexibility more than workplace technology

by • Flexible working, News, Technology, Wellbeing

People place greater value on autonomy and flexibility at work than on access to better workplace technology, according to new researchPeople place greater value on autonomy and flexibility at work than on access to better workplace technology, according to new research that suggests organisations may need to rethink how they approach workplace transformation projects. The survey found that a third of respondents (33 percent) identified autonomy as the most important element of a well-designed employee experience, while 30 percent cited flexibility. By comparison, 21 percent said improved digital tools were the most important factor and only 15 percent pointed to leadership that listens. The findings come at a time when organisations continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, automation and digital workplace programmes in an effort to improve productivity, engagement and performance. (more…)

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

by • Business, News

The number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figuresThe number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), adding to evidence of a gradual cooling in employment demand. The ONS said the labour market remained “broadly stable”, but several indicators pointed to weakening conditions. New recruitment fell to just under 540,000 people in April, the lowest monthly inflow since March 2021, while vacancies continued their long-running decline. (more…)

Remote work linked to rising isolation and poorer mental health, study finds

Remote work linked to rising isolation and poorer mental health, study finds

by • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

The rapid growth of remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to increased social isolation and worsening mental health among workers, according to a major new studyThe rapid growth of remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to increased social isolation and worsening mental health among workers, according to a major new study published in the journal Science. Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the University of Virginia and Harvard University analysed data from five nationally representative surveys covering nearly 590,000 American workers between 2011 and 2024. Their findings suggest that the shift towards home working may account for around one third of the rise in mental distress recorded in the United States since the pandemic. (more…)

Worst new buildings list highlights concerns over quality and value in property development

Worst new buildings list highlights concerns over quality and value in property development

by • News, Property

A satirical architecture award has drawn attention to what its organisers describe as some of the UK's most problematic recent property developments, with judges arguing that concerns about design quality are increasingly linked to broader issues around procurement, construction standards and development priorities.A satirical architecture award has drawn attention to what its organisers describe as some of the UK’s most problematic recent property developments, with judges arguing that concerns about design quality are increasingly linked to broader issues around procurement, construction standards and development priorities. The Carbuncle Cup 2026, organised by cultural magazine The Fence [subscription], named two joint winners from a shortlist of nine projects completed within the past two years. The award, which seeks to identify the country’s worst new building, was based on public nominations and assessed by a panel including former Architectural Review editor Cath Slessor. (more…)

«< 89 90 91 92 93 >»